Minister for Finance, Labour & Employment, Dr Haseeb Drabu reviewed implementation of the Budget proposals for the fiscal 2017-18 at a meeting of the administrative secretaries here this afternoon.Home Secretary R K Goyal, Principal Secretary Finance Navin K Choudhary, Principal Secretary Higher Education Asgar Samoon, Principal Secretary Health & Medical Education Dr Pawan Kotwal, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Rohit Kansal, besides all the administrative secretaries and senior officers of the Finance Department were present at the meeting.Dr Drabu sought department-wise details of progress made on the budget announcements and asked the administrative secretaries to ensure utilization of funds allocated under each proposal effectively and in a judicious manner.While seeking progress report on implementation of computerized budgeting mechanism - ‘Budget Estimation, Allocation and Monitoring System’ (BEAMS), the meeting was informed that all the departments have adopted this computerized budgeting system to distribute the resources and authorize expenditure.
Dr Drabu reiterated that for 2018-19 only such works will be made a part of capital outlay and the annual budget for which the required DPR is completed and other necessary sanctions have been obtained. He asked the administrative secretaries to strictly follow the proposed procedure for better planning and execution of the developmental works.Regarding inventory of land, buildings, machinery, equipment and other government assets, the Minister asked the participants to expedite the process so that the Government can get a sense of asset base of all the departments.‘Earlier the focus was on creation of assets especially buildings without knowing what kind of services these structures will provide, but now want to first get a clear picture of total asset value of each department besides effective utilization of these assets for larger public good,” Dr Drabu said.With regard to the revision and updation of Recruitment Rules, the Minister sought the progress department-wise and directed the ARI & Trainings department to expedite the process so that the job requirements are aligned with the requisite professional qualifications.While discussing the utilization of allocated funds, Dr Drabu said the funds should be drawn and utilized accordingly otherwise there is no need of reflecting the same during budget requirements.The Minister also discussed in detail the major announcements/projects with the concerned administrative secretaries and asked them to expedite the implementation process.Elaborate discussions were held on the important announcements made for some key departments including Industries & Commerce, PDD, Health, Agriculture, Revenue, Horticulture and Culture.The Minister asked the administrative secretaries to personally monitor the progress on their implementation and to submit the action taken report on these announcements to his office at the earliest.